Former Minister Commits Suicide, See Why

A former Dutch housing and integration minister, Ella Vogelaar, has died at the age of 69.

YaahooJournalist learned that Vogelaar, who was deputy leader of the FNV union federation before becoming a minister, suffered from depression and ended her own life, her partner Onno Bosma told the Volkskrant.

The family said in a statement, according to NOS that: “She has been suffering from depression for quite some time and has put an end to her life.”

Before her death, Vogelaar was Minister for Housing, Neighborhoods, and Integration in the Balkende IV cabinet for the PvdA. She had to resign a year and a half into her term at the end of 2008 after the PvdA had given up confidence in her.

Vogelaar introduced a list of 40 problem neighborhoods in the larger cities that received extra investments during the cabinet term in her short time as Minister.

The late former minister was succeeded as Minister by later Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan.

Late Ella Vogelaar.

Vogelaar was a member of the supervisory board of housing corporation Mitros and chairman of the Dutch Organization for Volunteer Work after stepping down as Minister. She was also vice-president of trade union FNV.

The former minister has been mourned by fellow PvdA members and other politicians.

“So sad and so sorrowful”, PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher said on Twitter. “Ella Vogelaar passed away. A very strong and very involved woman with a big heart for others, who unfortunately suffered from depression. I wish her husband Onno and all other relatives a lot of strength in dealing with this enormous loss”

“With Ella, we lose a beloved party member who devoted herself to every task with heart and soul”, PvdA chairman Nelleke Vedelaar said on Twitter. “Ella’s work for ‘her’ Vogelaar neighborhoods touches the core of social democracy and our party: the certainty of living well in a beautiful neighborhood. Not only did she listen to the people she spoke to on the street, she understood them too. We will miss her. My thoughts are with her loved ones.”

Prime Minister Mark Rutte also responded to her death, saying: “Struck by the tragic death of Ella Vogelaar. Good memories of our collaboration in my time at Social Affairs and Employment. She was a true social democrat with strong principles and a big heart for the weak in our society. I wish her family lots of strength.”